[ICYMI] Nollywood actress Sola Sobowale opens up on life as caregiver in UK

Renowned Nigerian actress, Sola Sobowale, has revealed revealed her experience working as a caregiver in London, England, for 12 years.

The 58-year-old thespian, made this known in a recent interview on the ‘Teju Baby Face Show’.

Sobowale, who left Nigeria in 2004, said she took a break from acting after featuring in the popular TV series ‘Toyin Tomato’ and decided to work in an unrelated field in London.

Despite being a celebrated actress, she humbly took on the role of a caregiver, where she performed various tasks such as washing, cleaning, and caring for others.

The actress, who referred to herself as an ‘elevated omo odo’ (meaning ‘a glorified servant’), emphasized her belief in dignity in labor and her willingness to do any job to provide for her family, except prostitution and fraud.

Sobowale said, at that time, she worked as a caregiver, saying she would “wash, carry, clean…you’ll do everything. That was what I was doing,” adding that she would later obtain her National Vocational Qualification certificate levels 2, 3 and 4, up to the level of a team lead.

Speaking further, the veteran actress noted that “there’ll be a time that the noise, the energy that Sola Sobowale had” will be no more.

The actress stated, “When I started this ‘elevated omo odo’ thing, I started from the grassroots. Then, I went to the college. I got my NVQ 2,3,4, to a team leader.

“I believe in dignity in labour. There’s no job I won’t do to put food on my table, to provide for my children, except prostitution and fraud.”

She also shared how a Nigerian man, Seye Fadipe, encouraged her to return to acting, which eventually led to her audition for the movie ‘The Wedding Party’ in 2016.

Sobowale’s experience in London also led her to obtain her National Vocational Qualification certificates levels 2, 3, and 4, up to the level of a team leader. She expressed her gratitude for the grace of God in her life, which has enabled her to achieve her goals and pursue her passion for acting.

The actress’s inspiring story has sparked reactions from fans and fellow actors, including Doris Simeon, who also shared her experience of doing menial jobs in the United States to pay her bills.